Chapter 9 - The Fall of the Empire
The buckshot tore through Vincent's shoulder.
The impact spun him violently to the cold stone ground.
His pistol clattered away into the dark, dusty corner of the cellar.
Leo laughed hysterically.
He realized his heavy backup had finally arrived.
He ordered the massive mercenary to restrain Vincent immediately.
He wanted to cut the drive out of his brother's stomach while he was still breathing.
The mercenary stepped forward with a wicked hunting knife drawn.
Vincent clutched his bleeding shoulder.
He tried desperately to crawl backward away from the blade.
He felt his back hit the cold stone wall.
There was nowhere left to run.
The mercenary raised the heavy knife high above his head.
Suddenly, the deafening sound of a roaring engine echoed from outside the estate.
A heavily armored SWAT vehicle smashed entirely through the burning front gates.
Dozens of federal agents swarmed the property.
They fired tear gas into the shattered windows of the mansion.
Vincent had triggered a silent alarm connected directly to the FBI.
He had traded his entire criminal empire for absolute federal immunity.
The flashing blue and red lights illuminated the basement through the shattered air vents.
The mercenary hesitated for one fatal second.
Vincent used his good arm to grab a heavy wine bottle from the rack beside him.
He smashed it brutally across the mercenary's face.
The massive man collapsed backward into the rubble.
Leo panicked and tried to scramble up the ruined staircase to escape.
A dozen green laser sights suddenly pierced the darkness from the top of the stairs.
An FBI tactical team ordered Leo to drop his weapon and get on the ground.
Leo dropped to his knees and sobbed.
A lone federal agent walked down the stairs and slowly approached Vincent.
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The agent did not offer medical help or lower his weapon.
Instead, he smiled coldly and pressed a suppressed pistol directly against Vincent's forehead.
